Surveyors Find 31 Species Of 7,256 Birds At Otteri Lake

On Friday, the Forest Department carried out a long-day census of birds arrived in Vandalur’s Otteri Lake and recorded 31 species of birds.The census is mainly an annual feature and its primary focus

The census is mainly an annual feature and its main focus is studying the new birds who arrive and increase in the numbers in comparison to previous years.  The survey was conducted by a group of animal keepers and department staff at Arignar Anna Zoological Park.

The census is mainly an annual feature and its main focus is studying the new birds who arrive and increase in the numbers in comparison to previous years.  The survey was conducted by a group of animal keepers and department staff at Arignar Anna Zoological Park.

The water-spread area of the lake stretches over 16 acres and has a protection of a 635 meter long bund. The storage capacity of this lake is around 8.5 crore litres. Owing to monsoon in November-December last year, the lake brimmed with water and around 31 species of 7,256 birds were found by surveyors.

Owing to monsoon in November-December last year, the lake brimmed with water and around 31 species of 7,256 birds were found by surveyors.

The species include spotbill duck, spoonbill, little grebe or dabchick, white-breasted water hen, common moorhen, glossy ibis, darter, pond heron, night heron, little cormorant, Indian cormorant, cattle egret, great egret, little egret, white ibis, grey heron and Openbill stork, stated the officials.  The migratory birds had laid eggs here and now, the young ones have come out.

The migratory birds had laid eggs here and now, the young ones have come out.

The number of Indian cormorant was 3,259 followed by little cormorant which was 1,756 in number.  The Indian cormorant accounted for 3,259 of the birds counted, followed by the little cormorant at 1,756, zoo officials added. Out of 31 species, 11 species stay in the zoo and carry out breeding activities.

The Indian cormorant accounted for 3,259 of the birds counted, followed by the little cormorant at 1,756, zoo officials added. Out of 31 species, 11 species stay in the zoo and carry out breeding activities.

In comparison with Vedanthangal, the population of the Indian cormorant was 134 numbers more. similarly the little cormorant population was quite high in Vedanthangal as compared to the Otteri lake. 50 percent of migratory species were attracted by the lake, who are regular visitors to Vedanthangal.